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We're a lovely thread, may be small but we're good... I know Christmas happens every year, yet by planning throughout the year this can take off some of the financial pressure of finding everything last minute, spread the tasks throughout the year.

It's not just about Christmas, it's birthdays, Easter, Valentine's Day,x cleaning those kitchen cupboards, having a general moan about life, yet being there as well.

The great plan is for a challenge on the 24th of the month, so that by Christmas Eve we are all ready and can sit back and relax...

A big welcome to everyone. Xx

17 crafts in 2017 = 0/17
Sisters legacy -50 charitable acts 43/50
Tackling the debt free life one day at a time xx
RIP Dad, - Always love you, - He was 1 in a million xx

Well I'm at it again!
I found some crackers!!!!! down from £6 to £1 for 12
Also men's pj's £15 down to £8, so my FIL's preside for next year is all sorted with some other bits I've got him.
That's 19 done!!

I'm going to join you this year. I haven't bought anything in the sales, but I want to be more organised for Christmas and presents this year. I usually pick things up as and when I see them, but have been caught out with the camera I got my daughter this year as it does not work Thankfully ordered online, so I have proof of purchase and Martin's SADFART mantra for support as I work to fix or exchange.

Managed to ask family for 'clutter free' presents, which are fabulous. We've so far visited Yorkshire Wildlife Park and have afternoon tea to look forward to; as well as a year's subscription to National Trust (parents & grandparents family gift).

Cat.xx

DFW Nerd Club #545 Dealing With Our Debt

never attribute anything to malice which can be adequately explained by stupidity, [paranoia or ignorance] - ZTD&[cat]

the thing about unwritten laws is that everyone has to agree to them before they can work - *louise*

Finally put the tree away and decs padded away ready, a few more bits brought, mainly cards and wrapping paper, holding on for boots 70% sale.

Seems to be baby boom, one if my close friends her niece expecting Feb, so knit blanket and couple of cardigans, the lady who did miss Hoodies piercings, drop her a couple of cardio off, due April, a friend from Devin she's become a nanny yesterday,,,, the baby was 11 lbs....

In and out this week, so plan is cut xmas cards up, gut the under stairs cupboard.... plan is tackle 2 jobs a week, that way little and often make a difference xx

17 crafts in 2017 = 0/17
Sisters legacy -50 charitable acts 43/50
Tackling the debt free life one day at a time xx
RIP Dad, - Always love you, - He was 1 in a million xx

Too tempting. You'll find something you want with it I'm sure . Paperchase did the same with me after I ordered a lot in the sales but I didn't go again.

I'll have another run at boots tomorrow in the 70% sale. I got LOTS to put away in the half price. A few gift sets, some woodwick candles to put away for Christmas next year and a load of clothes for Zoe to put away for when she's the right size. Got 9-12 months and 12-18 which thankfully are nice and dressy so will come with us on holiday. Just booked! Didn't think we would get a holiday this year with her. But got a good deal on a cruise. Only med. didn't want to fly with her just yet.

Anyway. I'll go online for boots first and then I'll nip to the shop in town and see what's there. I got loads of points from the sales shop. So whatever I pick up in the shop I'll use points for and it'll technically be free.

But that is me done for the sales. I'll keep an eye on bargain sites, but the present cupboard is full and healthy again and I have a lot put away for Christmas. Woo.

Got a lovely cath Kidston Christmas organiser. I'm a stationary/notepad/organiser nut. My obsession is. It healthy I'm sure
So I keep playing with it and looking through all the different sections and making notes already.

I share your obsession CCL. I love stationery and in particular notebooks, one for everything! I'm liking the sound of a Christmas organiser rather than just a notebook. will look in the 70% off tomorrow, thanks for the reminder. then that's me done too.

My first visit to MSE since my op on Dec 20th. Sitting at computer is not that easy.

All not going well- all nearly 50 clips out (very ouch) but wound is still draining. Feel slightly off colour too, so probably more antibiotics when I go to surgery tomorrow for bi-weekly check up! (boring) At least it doesn't forecast loads of snow so should make it to physio too.

So no Christmas and no nice sales shopping either- except some yummy Belgian biccies in Aldi........Did at least get a couple of slices of turkey when I was in hospital!!

Then last week Voyages of Discovery went phut. I'd got 2 cruises booked with them. The deposits will be refunded but don't know when. At least I have managed to book replacement cruises... now on the 4th attempt to get to Iceland !!!!(no, not the shop) but settled for Caribbean rather than Sri Lanka / India for 2018

Hope everyone is well and happy.

Being polite and pleasant doesn't cost anything!

If you found my posting helpful please hit the "Thanks" button!
Thank You

My first visit to MSE since my op on Dec 20th. Sitting at computer is not that easy.

All not going well- all nearly 50 clips out (very ouch) but wound is still draining. Feel slightly off colour too, so probably more antibiotics when I go to surgery tomorrow for bi-weekly check up! (boring) At least it doesn't forecast loads of snow so should make it to physio too.

glad everything went ok, hope the antibitoics kick in,

So no Christmas and no nice sales shopping either- except some yummy Belgian biccies in Aldi........Did at least get a couple of slices of turkey when I was in hospital!!

Then last week Voyages of Discovery went phut. I'd got 2 cruises booked with them. The deposits will be refunded but don't know when. At least I have managed to book replacement cruises... now on the 4th attempt to get to Iceland !!!!(no, not the shop) but settled for Caribbean rather than Sri Lanka / India for 2018

I'm glad ur get ur deposit back, hopefully wont be too long, thats good about the new cruises, 4th time lucky.... maybe Sri lanka be 2019....

The 4th time lucky must be catching... weve had to rebook Cuba (1st time was pregnant with Miss Hoodie, 2nd time the day of the ash cloud, 3rd was meant to be this April... but with everything going on etc and still raw with dad I didnt want to be so far away) so have rescheduled to April 2018...
xx

17 crafts in 2017 = 0/17
Sisters legacy -50 charitable acts 43/50
Tackling the debt free life one day at a time xx
RIP Dad, - Always love you, - He was 1 in a million xx

Things looking up!
This morning no more antibiotics needed- suddenly wound starting to dry.
Physio was impressed by amount of movement and said I might want to walk there in 2 weeks! (I think not- steep hills at each end!) Surgery only want to see me next week if wound not improving........

Less than 3 weeks before I can drive. Getting cabin fever! (oh and grey days of winter don't help.)

Being polite and pleasant doesn't cost anything!

If you found my posting helpful please hit the "Thanks" button!
Thank You

Long time lurker here, mind if I join in?
I always have a lot of presents to buy, some from all of the family as one present that we send, I then get the money back off the family.
My daughter, even though 18 still has a pile of stocking stuffers which I wrap as I go along.

Some presents sent to family and friends, I've tried to change, when u factor in postage, it could become quite costly (I do the Royal Mail panel thing which helps) but this has been met with resistance.

So I like to get a present for a friend/relative with thought, but if I can get it at a good price, even better.
I've been really lucky like Foxyand have got lots of goodies in the sales for birthdays/Christmas.
Everything is logged down including savings made in my little Christmas journal, I haven't added up the savings made in 2016, but still hoping to beat this figure when I've done it this year

I'm on another dedicated Christmas planning site, but you can't have enough Christmas IMNSHO. Mind you, that one's more about planning than frugal. Also it's international so a lot of the shops/bargains/tips etc are ones I can't use... They're great people, though; and this thread sounds equally friendly. Must be something about Christmas!

Christmas 2016 went a bit pear-shaped. I'd bought everything, ordered the food for delivery on the 22nd and dragged everything out of the cupboards to declutter. Wrapping paper and cards bought Jan 2016, so just had to wrap presents and write cards. Then I fell and broke my shoulder...

So. House a bombsite, presents stuffed in Christmas bags, boxes and stockings, emails to explain why I wasn't doing cards this year and The Day was extremely quiet!

On the upside, it turned out accidentally very MSE. I have loads of cards and wrapping paper for next year, have just finished the picky bits we weren't bothered about eating and I didn't put any weight on! Didn't take long to pt the decs away either, as it was all very simple.

Happy Kitties I feel your pain re the postage. A lot of my cards etc go abroad. It can be crippling.

What do you put in the stocking to keep costs down? My DD still likes an Advent Parcel - small items labelled 1-24. It can be reasonably cheap if you include things like toiletries/catering jams/honey/Marmite etc from hotels, the 'Fs' from BOGOFs etc

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